A RENAGADE'S TALE
Written by: Renagade12
CHAPTER 1:
I stared at my father, with coldness in my eyes and heart. My eyes seemed to pierce right through his body, and as he looked at me and pleaded for me to release him, I simply ignored him. My anger and rage was boiling inside me as I remembered all the horrible things he had done to me.... It was my chance to get revenge. But my pain and anguish started a long time ago.... When I still lived in the Cimarron herd. The story I want to tell you is full of anger, pain, betrayal, adventure, and revenge. This is my story; this is... a Renagade's Tale.
My life began when I was born; I awoke cold and hungry on the wetted grass. I opened my eyes shyly to see my brother Zuren looking down at me, and then I saw a beautiful mare even bigger than the foal I had just seen! My brother had already learned to stand, as I was still beginning to well- understand where I was. My mother looked at me and smiled, I tried to smile back at her as she nuzzled me softly. Zuren was getting cocky and tried taking a step forward. "Neee!" I whinnied out in pain as he stepped on me by accident. But it wasn't going to be the only time Zuren hurt me. "Come my sons! You must meet your father!" Ha! That was the biggest mistake my mother had ever made. Zuren happily bounded across the meadow, while I struggled to keep up. I was about to fall, but to my surprise, I was caught and pushed back up by my mother Rana. We made are way up the steep grassy hill, and as we did, the faint smell of other horses filled my nostrils. Soon I saw my brother puff up his chest and stand strait up tall. I heard a deep low voice speak out, and a dark shadow looming over me. "Rana my mate, we have done well!" Zuren was taller than me, and it made it difficult to see over his head. I tried standing tall and jumping up to get a glimpse of my father, but I soon realized I didn't need to see him, he had already seen me. My father looked at me coldly as he saw that behind my "oh so perfect brother" stood a shy helpless foal. His eyes grew wide and he looked angry and sad at the same time. He frightened me, and that was what started it all. He glared at me, turned, and then walked away. I looked at my mother confused, and she looked at me the same way.
Growing up with Zuren wasn't so bad at first, we acted like normal brothers, we looked like normal brothers, and we each suckle from the same mom. But we didn't play like real brothers. Every time I would play with my brother, he'd play too rough. He would tackle me down to the ground and hold me there against my own will. "Zuren! You’re playing to ruff!" I would scream out in pain. "No I'm not! Maybe you just don't play right!" He would answer before stomping all over me. My mother would come and see what he was doing and scold him.
"Zuren! I've told you many times not to play with your brother so roughly! He's smaller than you are and you could hurt him!" "Oh, but mama! He doesn't play right! And he's so.... Scrawny!" Zuren would complain. My father would come to see too, but he was more concerned for Zuren. He would only glare at me. But today he came and went straight up to Zuren and said "Son, I have watched you, and I think it is time for me to train you as a warrior." Immediately Zuren's eyes lit up. "Oh father, thank you! I promise I won't let you down!" Zuren pronounced proudly. My mother nudged me up and she could tell I was hurt. "Why didn't father offer me an apprenticeship momma?" I asked confused at my father's actions. But my mother wouldn't answer she only helped me up and said in a kind voice; “Ah... Come on my little Renagade, let's get you cleaned up." I would respect my mother and follow her to the meadow, where my Aunt Rain and her foals Geist and Storm were. Storm usually spent his time with his father Spirit, so Geist usually stayed with her mother. Geist was my only friend; she played with me and supported me no matter what. Rain's head pulled up at the sound of our hoof beats. She greeted my mother and Geist came running up to me. "Hi Ren! Wanna play?" She said excitedly. "Not right now Geist." I answered sluggishly. "Well, okay then...Maybe later?" "Sure." "Renagade! Come here please!" My mother called. "Coming mom!" I called back. I sat in front of a small pool of water where my mother washed my face and combed my mane. “Renagade, I don't want you to be upset about your brother becoming an apprentice. Your father only picked him because he was the stronger of you two. Remember what I told you?" She said comfortly. "Yes mama; if I believe in myself and trust my heart, I can accomplish anything." I responded sitting up tall and confident. “That’s my Renagade." She said then nudged me into the pool playfully. "Hey! Mom!" I got up and chased her around. I loved my mother more than anything. She was always there for me and stood up for me whenever Zuren was mean to me. After that day Zuren, my mother, my father, and I went to sleep in the highland meadow where the stars were crystal clear in the night sky. Once my mother and father had fallen asleep, Zuren rolled over next to me and started whispering things in my ear; "Today, dad taught me how to do a special fighting move," "Cool" I said sarcastically, rolling back over. "We had so much fun! Too bad you didn't get to come. It's probably because you’re too scrawny and weak to handle it." "Shut up Zuren!" I started to get angry. "C'mon Renagade, face it, dad didn't pick you because he doesn't like you!" Zuren said whispering closer into my ear. I sat up now, not looking at Zuren. "That's not true! Dad...doesn't.. Think that way..." "Oh, yes it is! And you know it!" I shut my eyes tightly, and tried to go back to sleep, but it was impossible.
The following morning our father had brought some berries and fresh morning dew grass, over to where Zuren and I were just waking up, I looked at the food my dad had brought and my mouth started watering. But once he came over, he dropped it in front of Zuren. "Father Do I get some too?" I asked looking up at him. "Of course not! This is Zuren's training food! It’s to keep him strong for his lesson! Weaker foals still suckle from their mothers." My father scolded me. Zuren sneered with a mouthful. Later on that day the mares and fillies, were preparing to go to the orchard fields to collect fruit for the herd. I sat on the hill watching them, when I heard hoof steps behind me. I turned around to see my aunt Rain approaching me. "You look kinda lonely up here by yourself, why don't you play with Storm, or your brother?" She suggested. "Because Storm is busy all week with Spirit and Zuren's off "training" with my father." I replied, as my head began to droop. “Oh, well then, perhaps you would like to accompany your mother and me on our trip?" My spirits immediately lifted up, as I reacted excitedly. "Really aunt Rain?! Ya mean it?" "Sure, Renagade! Geist always enjoys your company." "Thank you." With that, I followed Rain down the hill as we joined up with the other mares. "Ren!" Geist shouted as she ran up to me and gave me a huge hug. "I'm so glad you came! Now we can pick fruit together!" "Yeah! I've never been to the orchard before though, what's it like?" I asked full of excitement. "Oh my gosh Ren! You’ll love it! It full of beautiful trees and flowers, the sun hits it just right,..." Geist went on and on. My mother and Rain smiled at each other, as we walked on. It was a while before we actually made it to the orchard, but as my eyes fell upon it, I realized everything Geist had said about it was true. Geist and I chased each other through the fields of long golden grass, until we just couldn't take it anymore. Once we were finally done, and calmed down, we decided to settle down near the trees. "Geist, can I ask you something?" I asked her shyly. "Of course Ren. Shoot!" She replied with her usual up-beat attitude. "Do... you.. Ever.. Ya know... fight with Storm?" "Renagade, of course I do! He's my brother and I'm his sister! He can be a real pain. Daddy trains him every day, he says Storm will soon take his place as leader, and he can be a really stuck up about it. But there are days when we get along and play with each other, ha! One time, we were playing near some mud puddles, and Storm tripped and got his head stuck it one! I had to pull him out, and when we got back mama was so angry at him. But I felt bad for him, so I took the blame." "But why? Then you'd get in trouble." "I know Ren, but the point is that even though Storm and I don't get along sometimes, we always got each other's back." "Wow, I wish my brother was like that. He hates me. He's always pushing me down and telling me mean stuff." I said frowning at my feet. "Well Ren, maybe you should talk to Zuren. Maybe you can work things out." Geist responded positively. "Yeah right! Zuren won't listen to me he doesn’t even care!" It was at that point my mother began to listen to our conversation without being seen. "Well, have you tried talking to your dad? Isn’t he always with Zuren?" "No way! Dad would probably never cast a glance at me unless I got attacked by a cougar, and even then, he'd probably sit and watch!" At that point my mother had heard enough. She sadly walked away to the other mares. "Well Ren, let's just forget about that right now. Were at the greatest place in the valley, where brothers don’t exist!" Geist proclaimed jumping to her feet. "Yeah!" I agreed jumping up after. "Hey, maybe you can be my new brother!" "And you can be my new sister!" "Okey dokey then! C’mon new brother lets meet up with the others!" Satisfied, we both made our way to the other mares. I was glad I had Geist for a best friend. She was always there for me, whenever I needed her. The sun was beginning to set and it was time for us to return to the herd. Once we got back all the stallions were awaiting there mate's return. Even my father stood there with Zuren at his side. My head sunk at the thought of returning to my brother who beats me up once a day and my father whom hates my guts. "Renagade honey, can you join up with your father? I need to help the other mares." My mother said to me before cantering off to assist the others. With dread, I made my way up to where my father and Zuren stood. "Oh there you are Renagade! Did you have fun on your girly mare trip?" Zuren mocked me. "It's not girly! It's fun!" I responded. "Oh really? I thought that that trip was for mares only? Ah well, I guess they wouldn't notice one more filly tag along!" Zuren got in my face now. I hated it when he did that! But I knew I couldn't pick a fight with Zuren now, at least not while our father was watching. I looked at my father hoping he'd tell Zuren to stop but he only glared and replied in a low voice he always talked to me with; “Any respectful stallion would stay and train, not play around in an orchard." Zuren smirked at me. I looked down at my hooves as my mother came back up the hill. "Ah, what a great pick this year! The apples were just perfect my mother said as she rubbed muzzles with my father. "Ooh! Ooh! Mom! Dad and I trained some more this afternoon! Dad says I'm getting really good!" Zuren bragged. “That’s wonderful dear!" Zuren stuck his toung out at me as we walked back to the meadow.
The following day, Zuren, and my parents had left early the next morning. My father and Zuren were training, and my mother had gone to graze in the northern meadow. I woke up and found myself walking around the herd looking for something to do. I had run into esperenza, Spirit's mother and she told me that my father had gone to the southern meadow to train with Zuren, that wasn't really where I wanted to go, but I went anyway to see if Zuren was really as good as he said he was. I heard voices and then... laughter, as I approached the meadow. I peeked through the tall grass in shock, to see my father and Zuren not training, but... Playing! Our father never played! I didn't even think he possessed a soul! But there he was, laughing and playing with Zuren. Zuren tackled my father to the ground and smiled, but it was a real smile not a smirk. And then I saw my father smile back. This made me think I was dreaming. But what followed was even more unbelievable. “I love you dad." Zuren said burying himself in dad's long golden mane. “I love you too Zuren." He replied hugging him back. I looked away, wishing that that were me that my father played with me, that my father loved me. I felt hot steamy tears coming from my eyes, and I ran away to where my mother was sitting aside her. Not bothering to eat. I was very quiet that day; I didn't even want to play with Geist. I laid there In the Grass, watching the blades blow back and forth in the summer breeze. Noticing my behavior, my mother laid down next to me. "Renagade darling, is there something wrong? You haven't grazed an inch." My mother asked concerned. "Mama, does father hate me?" I said staring up at her. The gaze my mother gave me was a little surprising to me. Her big happy smile turned to a frown, and her eyes turned into big blue pools of sadness. "Renagade! Your father doesn't hate you! What on Earth would give you that idea?!" " He never smiles when I'm around, he always talks to me as if I had done something bad, He let Zuren train with him and not me, he never helps me when Zuren is being mean, what's wrong with me mamma?!" I said going into tears again. My mother put her head over my neck and hugged me close, and for a moment I enjoyed being there in her embrace. "There's nothing wrong with you dear! You’re perfect, just the way you are! Listen Renagade, you mustn’t think of your father this way. Things will look up, I promise little one. I know, why don't you go play with Geist for a while? I'm sure she would love to play with you now yes? "Yeah... I guess so..." I climbed to my feet, and trudged through the meadow.
Later on that afternoon, once the sun had set and the moon and stars over looked the Cimarron herd, I made my way back to where my mother father and I usually stayed. It was a small cave that rested on the boarder of the Cimarron herd. "Naru this can’t go on!!" I heard my mother yell, and quickly hid on the side of the entrance to listen to the conversation. “I know...” my father said shutting his eyes tightly. “Then why?! Why do you hurt him so much?! It's not his fault that he looks like some other horse!" "I realize that Rana! I realized that long ago when you had them!" "So why are you still treating him this way?! He's only a foal and doesn't deserve to be treated this way!" I KNOW Rana!" I was a little scared of how my parents were arguing about me, they had never yelled at each other before. "But… I just can’t do it... Every time I looked into those eyes all I can think of his my father's death... what I saw after..." I stared in utter shock as my own father began to cry! MY father crying! "Naru, I understand that this is hard for you, but whether you accept him or not he is your son, and all that he desires is your love." My mother relaxed a bit. "I... want to... but I..I can't.. I'm afraid. Afraid of it all coming back... I just wish Renagade weren't Renagade..." my nostrils flared as I began to sneeze, and doing so I had exposed myself to my parents. "Renagade?" My mother looked over at me in horrified gaze that I had heard everything. I felt myself begin to cry once more, and took some steps back away from my father. "Renagade! Renagade wait-" My father tried to stop me, but I already started to run away. "Renagade Please! Your father didn't mean it!" My mother whinnied after, as she chased me. But I didn't look back I kept running until I slipped and fell into a small hole, and let out a whimper of pain as I landed on my leg and it began to rain. I heard from up above horses running around in desperation to find me. But I didn't want to be found. I stayed in the small hole sobbing into the dirt. I waited there until I heard a familiar voice calling; "Ren! Ren! Are you out here! Ren!" Geist exclaimed as she found me lying in the hole. "Mamma! I found him! He's down here!" dirt covered my eyes, but I could barely make out Geist and my Aunt's faces. "Renagade! Oh no!" My aunt Rain cried out as she discovered my condition. "Geist help me get him out!" Yes Mamma!" I whimpered again as my leg banged around and hard rain pounded on my face. I leaned up against my Aunt as we made our way back to the herd. "RENAGADE!" My mother exclaimed as she came into view. She galloped over to me and pulled me close and hugging me tightly. "Thank goodness you’re alright!" She said as tears escaped her eyes. My father stood behind her along with Zuren, they actually looked somewhat concerned. "Whoa what happened to Renagade?" I heard Storm say as he saw me with his sister and mother. Spirit galloped to Rain. "Rain! Is he alright?! What happened to him?" We found him in hole, near the border he probably fell-" A rainy wind interrupted her, as rain hit us all. "Rana, you and Naru take your sons to rain and I's den, you will be dry there. My parents nodded as my mother lifted me up on her back. As we walked I looked at my father and managed to wheeze out a little word. "Father... I'm...Sorry..." My father looked at me sadness deepening into his eyes as looked down in guilt. I closed my eyes as I began to feel faint, and before I knew it the world went black....
TO BE CONTINUED…